He flew to Minneapolis to visit the police department’s Special Operations Center, his first trip outside Washington to campaign for his common sense gun measures.

“Weapons of war have no place on our streets, in our schools, or threatening our law enforcement officers,” Obama said.

The president unveiled his sweeping package of proposals for curbing gun violence last month in response to the Dec. 14, 2012, mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 first-graders and six educators were killed.

Obama vowed to use the full weight of his office to fight for the proposals, many of which face opposition in Congress and by lobbyists who exploit the fears of millions to protect the financial interests of the gun manufacturing industry such as the National Rifle Association.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last four years, it’s that you can’t count on anything in Washington until it’s done,” Obama said.

Before his remarks, Obama held a roundtable discussion at the center with law enforcement and community leaders.

And ahead of the trip, the White House released a photo of the president skeet shooting at Camp David.

Programming note: We will have full coverage of the president’s speech (with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak) and the image released of him firing a gun on “The Ed Show” tonight at 8 p.m. EST on msnbc!